Deficiencies were identified in lifeboats on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) in 2005. Since then, the industry and the supervisory authorities have worked to strengthen knowledge in this area and to improve the technical condition of these craft.

Close follow-up of evacuation to the sea is still required. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which is the responsible ministry for the PSA, supports this assessment and has asked the authority to follow the matter up through audits.

The main challenges facing lifeboats used in petroleum operations on the NCS include the following:

Free-fall lifeboats:

  • Hull strength
  • Safety of people on board, particularly the effect of acceleration forces on the human body
  • Propulsion

Davit-lowered lifeboats:

  • Hull strength
  • Safe and effective detachment of hooks after launching
  • Safety of people on board, particularly the effect of acceleration forces on the human body
  • Propulsion

Audits

In recent months, we have conducted audits of Maersk, Transocean and Odfjell to see how these companies have established, verified and maintained the evacuation function for all their facilities that have Acknowledgements of Compliance (AoCs) and are equipped with lifeboats (free-fall or davit-lowered lifeboats).

Objective

The objective of the audits was to verify that technical, organisational and operational aspects of the evacuation barrier function were established, verified and maintained in compliance with applicable regulations, such that personnel on the facilities can at all times be evacuated swiftly and effectively.

Result

One non-conformity was identified relating to performance requirements for the evacuation-to-the-sea barrier function.

No improvement points were identified.

We have asked Transocean to report to us by 23 November 2018 on how the non-conformity will be addressed.